It’s been a couple of weeks since the official unveiling of Google’s latest operating system for mobile devices — Android 10. The OS has officially ditched Android’s dessert theme, breaking out to create its own identity.
The OS comes with a plethora of changes, almost all of them aimed at making the Android experience more enjoyable for end users. The OS, so far, has garnered largely positive reviews, with many branding 10 as one of the best Android OSes ever developed.
As we all know, Android 10 is in its early days, so, very few manufacturers have managed to roll out the OS to their devices. Currently, you can officially run Google’s newest OS on the Pixel/XL, Pixel 2/XL, Pixel 3/XL, Pixel 3a/XL, Essential Phone, Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro, and the OnePlus 7/Pro.
Considering how short that list is, it’s more than likely that your device isn’t on it. However, before you get all upset and start cursing your manufacturer for delaying the update, you’d be wise to see whether Android 10-based LineageOS 17 has been made available for your device.
In this section, we’ll learn all about LineageOS 17 and tell you why you should give the famous aftermarket ROM a chance.
What is LineageOS
LineageOS is an Android-based free and open-source operating system for various mobile devices. The renowned ROM focuses primarily on user personalization, security, and longevity.
You should also know that LineageOS is a successor to the ever-popular CyanogenMod ROM, and has been available for the around 3-4 years now.
LineageOS takes great pride in making our smartphones more user-friendly while pushing the boundaries of what we can do with them. Thanks to its open-source nature, it gets support from developers all around the globe, making it a robust alternative to stock OSes.
What is LineageOS 17
LineageOS 17 is the latest release of the famous after-market ROM. It’s based on the latest Google OS for mobile devices, Android 10. The build is still under development, so, be prepared for a couple of rogue bugs, here and there.
LineageOS 14 was based on Android 7.1, while the LOS15 was based on Android 8.0, LOS16 on Android 9, and now, it’s the time for Android 10 based LineageOS ROM, the LineageOS 17.
LineageOS 17 device list
Asus
OnePlus
LG
Xiaomi
LineageOS 17 Gapps
We have fetched two GApps packages for you, which might come in handy.
After the dust settles, GApps will be available officially on this page.
WARNING: As LineageOS 17 is still relatively new, you’d be wise to only download GApps packages that are suggested/approved by developers. Many packages will not work as planned and could crash unexpectedly, so, only flash the pre-approved packages.
Why you should try Lineage OS 17
If your manufacturer isn’t the fastest when it comes to delivering software updates, trying a LineageOS build is your best bet. Apart from bringing Android 10 in all its glory, Lineage 17 also brings a bunch of tweaks and improvements.
Battery and performance improvements are two of the most dominant perks of Lineage 17, and we’re confident of seeing plenty more as the stable version rolls out.
Why you shouldn’t go for LineageOS 17
As mentioned earlier, LineageOS is a great alternative for people who are using ‘outdated’ devices, phones that have been abandoned by manufacturers. However, if you’re just impatient and want to try the newest OS on the market, you should think twice before taking the leap.
Not only is it risky to flash a custom ROM, but you will also void the warranty of your device (unless you’re using a OnePlus device, of course). Also, early builds aren’t always as stable/feature-packed as we’d want them to be, so, it might not be worth the hassle.
Alternatives to LineageOS 17
LineageOS is one of the most trusted names in the business, but if you are determined to try your luck and want a different aftermarket ROM, there are a couple of options you could try.
Potato Open Sauce Project (POSP) has released unofficial Android 10 for the Xiaomi POCO F1, Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, and Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus.
If you’re a Xiaomi Mi 8/ Mi Mix 2S user, you could check out the recently released Pixel3 ROM.
Also, an early build of Android 10 GSI ROM has also been released.
From broken fingerprint scanner to random camera crashes, all these ROMs have their fair share of quirks. Given these are early builds, a few rogue bugs aren’t unexpected. Rest assured that the developers are working tirelessly on these and will hash out the issues through periodic updates.
